Tucson area banks (Green Valley, Page, Sahuarita: rent, credit, loans)

[sownman]

Going to be moving to Sahuarita/Green Valley this year. I've had a 20 plus year relationship with Citibank and it has been the best bank experience I've had. Sadly they don't seem to have an Arizona presence.

Any recommendations for an alternative ? As a senior using direct deposit I expect no fees of any kind other than the fact that they get free use of my money.

Thanks

[Suzatlarge]

I've been hanging out at this forum a lot lately, as I'm researching a new place to live within the next couple of years.

Of course, I don't live in AZ and don't have experience with Tucson area credit unions - but I've had very positive experiences doing all my personal banking (including car loans and a first mortgage) with credit unions here in Colorado. It's been 25 years since I had an account at a commercial bank and I have not missed that at all.

Not to hijack this thread, but I think credit unions can be a great alternative to commercial banks especially for personal banking. And I'd like to hear any opinions/experiences with Tucson area credit unions.

BTW, I would only join a credit union chartered by the NCUA (think FDIC for credit unions). You can search for NCUA credit unions by location on their website. I searched for Tucson and checked out a couple of the credit unions I found - for those two, you can join if you live, work, volunteer, or worship in the county where they're located.

[jksn75]

In GV/Sahuarita, there are a couple different locations for Chase and Wells Fargo. We've had no issues with either bank and been members for many years.

[whitem3]

Banks in Green Valley, Arizona with Reviews & Ratings - YP.com

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by sownman

Going to be moving to Sahuarita/Green Valley this year. I've had a 20 plus year relationship with Citibank and it has been the best bank experience I've had. Sadly they don't seem to have an Arizona presence.

Any recommendations for an alternative ? As a senior using direct deposit I expect no fees of any kind other than the fact that they get free use of my money.

Thanks

With Direct Deposit and Online Banking, Snowman . . . why do you feel the need to change banks?

You may want to consider a "back-up account" at a local bank or Credit Union if necessary for ATMs, etc.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by sownman

Going to be moving to Sahuarita/Green Valley this year. I've had a 20 plus year relationship with Citibank and it has been the best bank experience I've had. Sadly they don't seem to have an Arizona presence.

Any recommendations for an alternative ? As a senior using direct deposit I expect no fees of any kind other than the fact that they get free use of my money.

Thanks

I have been to most of the banks in that area and honestly, I really cannot recommend any of them - Chase, Wells Fargo, BMO Harris, etc. None of them are particularly helpful and some have pretty limited hours.

I would probably use on the the credit unions - Tucson Federal Credit Union has a location in Sahuarita.

If I had to go with a bank, I would go with Washington Federal or US Bank as there service is a bit more personable. If you need a safe deposit bank, go with Washington.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Bummer

With Direct Deposit and Online Banking, Snowman . . . why do you feel the need to change banks?

You may want to consider a "back-up account" at a local bank or Credit Union if necessary for ATMs, etc.

The bank that I am using currently has six branches ... outside of Akron, OH. I have NO INTENTION of moving my account to AZ at this point because I get great service. This bank has an agreement for free ATMs with US Bank and most credit unions and will reimburse $12 a month to offset any fees.

There are two drawbacks with this approach. First, except for Washington Federal, none of the Green Valley banks will rent you a safe deposit box without having a depository account. I have never seen that in other places I have lived. Also, depositing cash can be a hassle although the new ATM machines are able to handle that.

By the way, Green Valley merchants and contractors accept out of town checks all the time without much hassle.

[sickofIL]

I've had an account with Citi as well (over 20 yrs)and all that they have here is a few ATM's and NONE of them accept deposits. For a bank as big as Citi I find this pretty odd. Bummer, the problem is that sometimes I get a check and need to deposit it. I would need to do it by mail (would not do this) or go to another state. (completely insane) I will problably move to Chase where my wife has an account.

[sownman]

Thanks for the responses. I'll look into a credit union but my past experience is they are not what they once were. They used to be a collective of members for the benefit of members but years ago that ceased to be the case, at least at Technicolor FCU where I was a member. They charge more for loans and pay out less in interest than banks nowadays. I think the benefit of credit unions is a myth that current users just have not taken a close look at for far too long and keep propagating it, but I will investigate them again.

As far as why would I need a bank building with direct deposit and ATM ? Well sometimes you get checks that are from other sources than SS and pension, you need a teller. Sometimes a dispute arises and you need a building with a human to discuss it with, and sometimes you need to sign a document.

Citibank set up a system of having an ATM at every Seven Eleven store in addition to their branches which has been very convenient in California. There is a Seven Eleven every few blocks in most of So Cal.

I will probably end up with Chase or Wells, whoever offers the most ATM's. I have bad recent experience with US Bank where I have been managing my Moms accounts, the fees and lack of interest in helping solve problems was an issue for me when dissolving her estate. I will never set foot in BofA again.

[Jukesgrrl]

Have you spoken to a manager at Citibank to see how you can remain a customer? I would think they would be interested in making accommodations for you. Perhaps Citibank could help you choose your Arizona bank so you get one where you can use your Citibank ATM card with no charges. No reason you can't still have your direct deposits go into your Citibank account and pay your bills through them, even though you don't have access to their brick and mortar bank.

I do 99% of my banking online. I have a savings account and CDs at a bank that exists only online (and in one building in New Jersey). I do almost everything online. I keep a checking account and have a safety deposit box at a local credit union (which also affords me very low-cost notary services) but even with them I do my banking online. I deposit any paper checks I receive there and if I build up enough cash in that account that I want to buy another CD or move money into my savings account, I just have the credit union do a wire transfer.